Piedmont

The wines of Piedmont : Between hills, mist, and legendary vintages

Piedmont — Piemonte in Italian — is one of Italy's greatest wine-growing regions. Located in the north of the country, between mountains and fertile plains, this region produces wines that are elegant, powerful, and deep.

Here, the hills of the Langhe, Monferrato, and Roero are home to world-renowned vineyards, where legendary appellations such as Barolo, Barbaresco, and Gattinara are born.

Piedmont wines reflect the character of their land: authentic, complex, and steeped in tradition. If you enjoy distinguished vintages, reds with aging potential, or aromatic whites, this region is a true invitation to pleasure and discovery.

And to broaden your exploration of Italian wine, discover Tuscany, Sicily, and the terroirs of Sardinia.

The wine-growing history of Piedmont

Piedmont has been cultivating vines since Roman times. The combination of a continental climate, clay-limestone hills, and autumn mists has created the perfect ecosystem for noble grape varieties.

The region's winemakers have always focused on quality rather than quantity. The result? Wines with a unique profile, characterized by great aromatic precision and rare depth.

The DOC and DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) appellations now guarantee this excellence. Each bottle from prestigious estates—including Gaja, Conterno, Sandrone, Bruno Rocca, Vajra, Vietti, and Borgogno—is a tribute to Piedmont's ancestral know-how.

At CAVE, we have been following the region with interest for 40 years: this has led to encounters and selections of which we are very proud. From established stars to emerging talents, from more traditional approaches to modernist ones (long macerations, aging in containers of different sizes with varying degrees of exchange, temperature control, etc.), each bottle is a distillation of history and a promise of travel.

The great red wines of Piedmont

Barolo and Barbaresco, the kings of Nebbiolo

It is difficult to talk about Piedmont without mentioning Nebbiolo (whose name comes from nebbia, meaning fog), the region's emblematic grape variety. It gives rise to the two most famous appellations:

Barolo DOCG: nicknamed the king of wines and the wine of kings, this powerful, tannic red seduces with its aromas of truffle, black cherry, tar, and violet. It comes from the hills around La Morra, Serralunga d'Alba, and Castiglione Falletto in the Langhe.
Barbaresco DOCG: sometimes more delicate, it expresses exceptional finesse, with notes of red fruit, sweet spices, and dried flowers. In Barbaresco, Nebbiolo ripens earlier than in Barolo, possibly due to the proximity of the vineyard to the Tanaro River, which acts as a natural air conditioner. As a result, the aging requirements are shorter than for Barolo.

These Crus are among the most sought-after wines in Italy and age beautifully—sometimes for several decades! A little anecdote: don't be mistaken if you find an old wine with little color: this is simply due to the fact that Nebbiolo quickly releases anthocyanins (which give wine its red color) and these do not bind well. To compensate for this, some producers have found ways to delay their extraction and thus retain more color. So the color of Nebbiolo is more an indicator of the method used than of quality.

Accessible and delicious reds

In addition to Nebbiolo, Piedmont produces more supple and immediate red wines:

Barbera d'Alba or Barbera d'Asti, generous wines with aromas of cherry and plum.
Dolcetto d'Alba, a lively and fruity red, perfect for everyday cooking.
Langhe Rosso, often made from blends, balancing freshness and structure.
You can also find other specialties made from native grape varieties such as Grignolino, Freisa, Pelaverga, and more.

These wines embody Italian conviviality: they are best enjoyed young, with a pasta dish, roast meat, or a cheese platter.

White and sparkling wines from Piedmont

While Piedmont is famous for its reds, it also has some wonderful surprises in store for lovers of white wines.

Roero Arneis DOCG offers a floral and mineral profile, ideal for an aperitif.

Gavi DOCG, made from Cortese grapes, is an elegant wine with notes of citrus and almonds.

And for festive occasions, Moscato d'Asti DOCG shines with its slightly sparkling sweetness, low alcohol content, and aromas of peach and orange blossom.

Food and wine pairings: Piedmont on your plate

Piedmont is also a land of gastronomy: white truffles from Alba, creamy risotto, slow-cooked meats, and mature cheeses.

The region's wines are a natural accompaniment to this generous and fragrant cuisine:

Barolo: perfect with truffle risotto, stew, or game.
Barbaresco: sublime with fresh mushroom pasta or veal dishes.
Barbera d'Alba: the ideal companion for charcuterie or mature cheese.
Dolcetto: excellent with simple dishes such as lasagna or grilled vegetables.
Moscato d'Asti: delicious with dessert, fruit tart or amaretti.

These pairings reveal the sensory richness of Piedmont and the finesse of its wines.

The unique style of Piedmont wines

What sets Piedmont apart is its intimate connection with nature. The vineyards blend into the misty hills, bathed in soft light. This is where the wines draw their character: intensity, depth, and elegance.

Nebbiolo, for example, can be austere in its youth but reveals a fascinating complexity with age. Barolo and Barbaresco are among the finest wines in the world for aging, much like the great Burgundy vintages.